Kambo is the venomous secretion of Phyllomedusa bicolor (the giant leaf or monkey frog), a bright green tree frog native to the Amazon basin. It can be found in the rainforest regions of Brazil, Peru, southeastern Colombia, and parts of Venezuela, Bolivia, and the Guianas. In many regions outside Brazil, both the frog and its secretion are known as sapo (or ‘toad’).
The secretion of the Kambo frog has been used by the Amazon natives as a medicine for generations and each tribe has developed their own traditions, and legends around the discovery and use of Kambo. The first observations of Kambo use were made by a French priest, Father Constantin Tastevin in 1925 whilst he was staying with the Kaxinawá tribe in the upper Juruá River in Brazil. In the 1980’s an American Anthropologist, Katherine Milton described Kambo use among the Mayoruna tribe in Brazil and in the 1980s Peter Gorman wrote about his experiences taking Kambo with the Matses tribe in Peru.
How is Kambo Administered?
The medicine is applied to the skin after small superficial burns are made with a hot glowing ember stick called a Tamishi. Only the top layer of the skin is gently burned. Traditionally, the points are placed on the lower leg or upper arm, but can also be placed on other parts of the body. The amount of points depends on the number of times that the person has already received treatment, the reason for the application, physical condition, and overall assessment by the practitioner based on her/his knowledge.
Kambo is best taken on an empty stomach. It’s advisable to avoid solid food for 8-10 hours beforehand. Alcohol and other recreational substances should also be avoided for 24-48 hours before and after application.
The immediate effects of kambo are intense and unpleasant but short-lived, usually lasting no more than 30-40 minutes. They include a rise in temperature, sweating, shivers, and dizziness as the heart rate becomes rapid. Some people report a tingling or burning sensation like electricity that starts from the points and spreads through the body.
Overwhelming nausea is generally unavoidable with kambo and purging is likely—either by vomiting, defecation, or both. Other effects include a feeling of pressure in the head, neck, and torso, stomach pain, inflammation of the throat, dry mouth, blurred vision (or temporary blindness), difficulty moving, and numb, swollen lips and tongue.
After the initial effects have worn off and the heart rate has returned to normal, it may be necessary to rest. Some people feel tired or drained after a session while others feel great physical strength, sharpened senses, and heightened mental alertness. Desirable after-effects like these may take a day to materialize or they could be immediate. They also tend to include a consistently elevated mood, increased physical and mental energy, decreased stress, and enhanced focus.
Scientific studies show that the Phyllomedusa bicolor secretion is made up of many peptides that are beneficial to the human body. Some of these peptides traverse the blood-brain barrier and stimulate the endocrine glands of the brain, resulting in an immune effect and a deep cleanse of the body. Kambo has antibiotic properties and strengthens the immune system, while physically destroying pathogenic microorganisms. Kambo is traditionally known to be anti-inflammatory, to relieve joint pain, to heal eyesight, and to ease pain.
When scientists analyzed the chemical makeup of the Phyllomedusa bicolor’s venom, they found that it contained new peptides with exciting beneficial effects on thehuman body. The top 8 are:
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Dermorphin — a potent mu-opioid receptor agonist.
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Deltorphin — a very potent delta-opioid receptor agonist.*
*Dermorphin and Deltorphin are 4000 times stronger than morphine and 40 times stronger than endogenic b-endorphines. -
Phyllomedusin — a tachykinin which affects the salivary glands, tear ducts, intestines, and bowels; it contracts the smooth muscles, and contributes to violent purging.
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Phyllokinin (and phyllomedusin) — potent blood vessel dilators that also increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.
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Phyllocaerulein — which stimulates the adrenal cortex and the pituitary gland, causes a fall in blood pressure, causes tachycardia, and has a potent action on the gastrointestinal smooth muscle, and stimulates gastric, biliary and pancreatic secretions.
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Sauvagine — which stimulates the adrenal cortex, causes a long lasting fall in blood pressure, and causes intense tachycardia.
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Adenoregulin — acts on the adenosine receptors.
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Dermaseptin — a potent antimicrobial for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and antiviral for herpes simplex virus.Sapo venom has been analyzed by scientists and is shown to contain many peptides that are beneficial to the body.
While there are no clinical studies that definitely back up Kambo’s efficacy, the properties of Kambo peptides make it a promising treatment for the following conditions:
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Depression
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Migraines
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Blood circulation problems
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Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
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Vascular insufficiency
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Organ diseases
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Cancer
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Fertility problems
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Deeply rooted toxins
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Chronic pain
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Addiction to opiate or prescription painkillers
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Fever and infections
Kambo enters the lymphatic system, waking up the body’s natural ability to heal itself. The short-term effects of receiving a treatment can be enhanced resistance to tiredness, hunger and thirst, enhanced state of alertness, capacity to focus and still the mind. These effects can last for days or weeks. Long-term, Kambo will strengthen and empower the immune system, help overcome fatigue and increase overall well-being. People that regularly take the vaccine very rarely get sick and have a lot of energy.
After people do Kambo, they often see massive energetic shifts in their lives, from dramatic improvements to their physical health, to reduction in depression and addictions, to relief from chronic pain and major illnesses.
Kambo has no known detrimental side effects, so when it is responsibly administered, it is completely safe. There are some people who should not take it; generally, it is not for you if you have, or have had in the past, any of the following conditions:
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Stroke.
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Heart bypass surgery.
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Enlarged heart.
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Implanted cardioverter defibrillators.
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Congestive heart disease.
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Excess fluid in the heart sack.
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Heart valve replacement surgery.
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Organ transplant.
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Aneurism.
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Active ulcers.
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Addison’s Disease.
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Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
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Have had a psychotic episode in the past 5 years.
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Crohn’s Disease/Irritible Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
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Brain hemorrhage.
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Blood clots.
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Epilepsy.
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Serious mental health conditions, excluding depression, PTSD and anxiety.
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Lack the mental capacity to decide to take Kambo.
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Seriously low blood pressure that requires medication.
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Anyone recovering from a major surgical procedure.
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Pregnant or breastfeeding women with babies under 1-year old.
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Within 21 days of giving birth.
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Chemotherapy or radiation treatments of less than 6 weeks prior or 6 weeks afterwards.
* If you are asthmatic, be sure to bring your inhaler with you.
*Diabetics need to bring insulin, testing strips, and food.
*During menstruation (Women on their period are more comfortable if they avoid Kambo. It can increase bleeding and cramping and can often cause lightheadedness and sometimes even fainting).
The Kambo I use has been collected by the Matses people from their land in the Amazon Jungle. This tribe has maintained a sacred relationship with the frog for thousands of years in which the frogs are not harmed in the collection process. They are collected near rainforest waterways by members of the tribes, who also imitate the frogs song. The frogs are then carefully tied by each leg with strings and held in an X shape. Sometimes they will massage the toes of the frog to encourage the secretion which is released from glands on the side of the frog. The frog is then released and returned to it's habitat. The strings used to tie the frog leave small white lines on its legs that will stop anyone from harvesting it until the lines have faded. Harvesting in this way means the frog has enough secretion to protect itself from predators, and this first secretion is the strongest for treatment.
The frogs are always treated with utmost care and respect, as the Matses believe that to harm the frog will anger the animal spirits that they reside with in the jungle. They have a deep respect and love for them, knowing they are our teachers and healers. Kambo collected in this way is considered 100% ethically harvested. You can always be sure that I only use the very best, ethically harvested, medicine.
